Gale McGaughey

Gale McGaughey

Gale McGaughey passed away from Alzheimer’s on March 5, 2022. She was the daughter of Betty Comer Neel and Marvin Neel.  

She was born in 1948 in Carlinville, Illinois. Gale grew up in Cahokia, Illinois, where she immersed herself not only in her schoolwork but also in the life of the Baptist church there in Cahokia. Upon graduation from Cahokia High School, she attended Eastern Illinois University, earning a B.A. in psychology with a minor in music.

Gale went on to marry Burt in 1970, give birth to two children (Monica and Samuel), and to pursue her love of music and teaching in private as well as public elementary and middle schools wherever Burt’s work took them. Her greatest joy after she was no longer able to teach was to be recognized by her former students who would stop and talk with her.

As well, Gale was also deeply involved with serving in the local church – living out her faith in Jesus Christ through her involvement in children’s ministries and as a member of choir(s) and orchestras.

A distinct highlight in Gale’s life while living in Centreville, Virginia, was her participation in the original Christian Performing Artists Fellowship as a member of the Asaph Choral Ensemble singing in Moscow, Russia, at the Bolshoi Theater and in Jerusalem (Israel), as well as Constitution Hall (Washington, D.C.) and other venues.

Gale is preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Betty Neel. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Burt; their two children Monica (husband Matt, children Wyatt and Kessler and Kessler’s two children, Arya and Veena) and Samuel (wife Dianna, children Brendan and Connor). She is also survived by her sisters, Vicki, Ginny and Cyndi; and her brother, Patrick; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A special thank you for her caregivers (and staff) Elena Dorcus (past owner and primary caregiver New Hope Assisted Living), Grace Osborne (current owner New Hope, Laura Bustos, primary caregiver, and current staff Millie, Delores, Liz and Emani), Kristin Steinke, NP, who oversaw Gale’s medical needs and the nursing staff support of Alamo Hospice.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Boerne. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. 

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.